Boat ramp

ABSTRACT

A boat ramp apparatus includes a framework ramp which is pivotable about the support axis provided by a separate portable support frame between an inclined position wherein a boat may be loaded or unloaded and a generally horizontal position wherein the boat may be stored elevated above the water. The support axis is formed by a transverse support bar, which enters between pairs of downwardly projecting rod-like stop members located along the underside of the ramp. The pivot axis of the ramp may be varied by simply lifting the ramp and moving it to a new position wherein the support axis engages between a different pair of stop members.

U United States Patent m1 [111 3,747,779 Gross [4 1 July 24, 1973 [54] BOAT RAMP 202,142 12/1955 Australia 214/1 A [76] Inventor: Paul L. Gross, Apt. 206 Lakeview Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Tcwers Sebnng 33870 Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner [22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1971 Attorney-Robert B. Larson, Ross F. Hunt Jr. et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A boat ramp apparatus includes a framework ramp [52] US. Cl 214/1 A which is pivotable about the support axis provided by [51] 10L Cl B60!) 1/04 a separate portable support frame between an li [58] Fleld of Search 214/1 A, 505; position wherein a boat may be loaded or unloaded and 272/54 a generally horizontal position wherein the boat may be a stored elevated above the water. The support axis is [56] References C'ted formed by a transverse support bar, which enters be- U ITED STATES P NT tween pairs of downwardly projecting rod-like stop 3,227,292 1/1966 Jacobs 214/: A members located along the underside of the ramp. The 2,433,735 12/1947 Buclkowski. 272/54 pivot axis of the ramp may be varied by simply lifting 2,808,953 10/1957 Whitney 214/505 the ram and moving it to a new position wherein the Roy, Sl'. 6t 8| support axis engages between a different pair of stop FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS members- 1,197,600 7/1970 Great Britain 272/54 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures m 45 3e 32 44 28 24 4a V I T I \I 1 l [K a V :55? 1; :1 1 in 2/ I "u l i L IO 58 50 L /ll,,\ \L

QNJwN 0Q vm 0mm own PATENIHJJuLwszs r #1 mm 8 L Ni om INVENTOR PAUL LGROSS 5/2/230 17/0 ATTORNEYS BOAT RAMP FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to loading and unloading ramps for boats and, in particular, to ramps which provide boat launching, removal of boats from the water and elevated storage of boats above the water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A relatively common form of boat ramp apparatus which has particular appeal for owners of small crafts includes a pivotable. loading ramp mounted on an elevated ramp support and a winch or other means for pulling the boat up, or lowering the boat down, the ramp. The ramp is pivoted such that when, for example, the boat is hauled a certain distance up the ramp, the ramp pivots to a generally horizontal position wherein the boat is supported above the water for storage purposes. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,227,292 (Jacobs), and 2,754,017 (Hart), inter alia, for examples of ramps of this general type.

Although ramps of the type under consideration provide certain advantages, the ramps of the prior art suffer certain disadvantages which have proved an impediment to their general acceptance. For example, the ramps are generally either toocomplicated and hence expensive or too simple and hence incapable of providing smooth and efficient operation. Further, many such ramps require permanent installation thus limiting their flexibility and increasing their cost. Hence, prior to the ramp of the present invention, a need existed for a ramp of the type under consideration which was simple enough to enable one to assemble the ramp without the necessity of expensive installation charges but which provided the necessary ruggedness and efficiency in operation desired by boat owners. In this regard, it is noted that because of the many different boat sizes it is difficult to design a ramp which is standardized in size so as to permit mass production and which is, at the same time, usable with a wide range of boat sizes. It is noted that even in ramp arrangements wherein adjust ments are provided, the adjustments are generally cumbersome and relatively difficult to effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a boat ramp apparatus is provided which includes a pivotable loading ramp and a separate portable support frame which enables easy installation of the ramp apparatus as well as ready use of the apparatus in different locations. The ramp apparatus of the invention is simple enough to enable assembly by the owner and includes several size adjustment features which enable handling of a significant range of boat sizes, as well as add to the ease of operation of the apparatus. In addition, according to an important feature of the invention, the axis about which the ramp is pivoted can be varied in an extremely simple and easy manner.

According to a presently preferred embodiment thereof, the invention includes an elongate frame assembly which serves as a loading ramp and which is pivotable about the axis provided by a portable support frame. The support frame includes a traverse support axle, in the form of a simplecircular diameter bar member or the like, about which the ramp is pivoted.

The ramp includes first and second sets of at least three longitudinally spaced, rod-like stop members located on opposite sides of the ramp frame and projecting downwardly from the underside of the two frame members forming the sides of the ramp. These members, taken two at a time, are spaced apart sufficiently to permit the receipt of the support axle therebetween. This arrangement enables the axis about which the ramp is pivoted to be readily varied by simply lifting the ramp from the support frame and then moving the ramp to a position wherein the support axle engages between two different stop members. The stop members serve to limit the movement of the ramp on the support frame and hence to prevent slippage of the'ramp with respect to the frame.

The ramp also includes a movable prow section formed by converging support arms on which is mounted a means, such as a winch, for hauling a boat up the ramp. By adjusting the position of the prow section with respect to the ramp the effective length of the ramp can be varied.

In addition, an auxiliary support arrangement is provided for aiding in loading a boat onto the ramp. The arrangement includes pivotable support bars the ends of which can be raised or lowered with respect to the ramp to provide a variation in the ramp gradient at the loading end.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in or apparent from the: detailed description of a preferred embodiment found hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a boat ramp in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the ramp of FIG. 1 showing a boat in the stowed position thereof and illustrating the loading position in dashed lines;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken generally along line III- III of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the boat ramp of the invention includes a ramp 10 formed by a frame 12 including first and second elongate side members l4 and 16 which form the sides of the ramp and a plurality of interconnecting cross members 18, two of which 18a and 18b join the endsof members 14 and 16. Two further elongate frame members 20 and 22 extend longitudinally of frame 12, centrally thereof, and serve to support a series of rollers 24 mounted thereon. Rollers 24 each comprise first and second roller members 24a and 24b mounted in spaced relationship on an axle 24c so as to permit a portion of the keel of a boat to be received therebetween. A further series of rollers 26 may be mounted by means of support plates 28 on the frame side members 14 and 16, as IBI'IOWII, to further aid in the pulling or hauling of a boat up the ramp. Rollers 26 are designedto engage the hullof a boat and hence present a general conical rolling surface 26a. It will, of course, be appreciated that both the design and arrangement of the rollers can be varied from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and that, for example, it would be possible to rely solely on the use of a set of central rollers corresponding to rollers 24.

Ramp 10 further includes a movable prow" 30 which supports a winch 32 used in hauling a boat up the ramp. Prow 30 is formed by first and second frame members 34 and 36 which are generally parallel at their inboard ends and which converge at the outboard ends to form a mount for a support plate 38 for winch 24. Winch 32 may take a number of forms and, in general, any conventional mechanical or electrical winch can be used. Frame members 34 and 36 of prow 30 are joined by a cross member 40 and the inboard ends thereof slidably extend through first and second sets of apertures 42 and 44 in transverse end member 18a and in adjacent cross-piece l8aa, respectively. This arrangement permits longitudinal movement of prow 30, and hence corresponding movement of winch 32, and thus serves in expanding the range of boat sizes which the ramp 10 can accommodate. Releasable clamps (not shown) may be used to adjustably fix the position of the prow 30. It will be understood that a number of different approaches can be taken in adjustably mounting prow 30 on ramp l and that, for example, the inboard ends of the prow 30 may be slidably received in mounting brackets, and set screws used adjustably fixing the position of the prow.

Ramp also includes pivoted bars 42 and 44 which serve to reduce the angle of incline of the ramp at the outboard end. Considering bar 45 as exemplary, as illustrated in FIG. 2 bar 45 is pivotably connected at one end thereof the side member 16 of frame 10 and at the other end thereof to a linkage member 48 which is, in turn, pivotably connected to side member 16 adjacent the outboard end thereof. This arrangement permits the outboard end of bar 42 to be raised and lowered with respect to frame member 14 and, thus provides a variation in the angle of inclination of ramp 10 in the area of bar 14. Bar 43, of course, operates similarly, and thus bars 43 and 45 facilitate the initial loading of a boat onto ramp 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, ramp 10 is mounted on a support frame 50. Base 50 is portable and like ramp 10 is preferably constructed of lightweight galvanized steel or another relatively lightweight metal. The precise con struction of the support frame 50 is a matter of design, the embodiment illustrated including an upper support frame 52, a generally horizontal base frame 54 and first and second side walls 56 and 58 (See FIG. 3) made up of suitable strut-work such as shown in FIG. 2. Upper support frame 52 includes a transverse mounting bar member 60 about which ramp l0 pivots when mounted on support frame 50. Mounting bar 60 is preferably circular in cross section so as to permit pivoting of ramp l0 thereon, bar 10 being contacted, in operation, by the undersurfaces of side members 14 and 16 of ramp 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the underside of frame member 16 of ramp 10 includes a series of downwardly depending rod-like stop" members 62 spaced longitudinally therealong. The spacing between stop members 62 taken two at a time is such as to permit the receipt of support bar 60 therebetween while at the same time limit movement of ramp 10 on the support frame 50 so as to prevent slipping of the ramp 10. To vary the axis about which ramp 10 is pivoted, the ramp is simply lifted up and moved so that support bar 60 engages between a second pair of stop members 62. In this way, the pivot point of the ramp can be readily varied in a highly simple manner without the necessity of releasing bolts, clamps or the like. The flexibility so provided also aids in permitting ready accommodation of boats of different sizes. Of course, as indicated in FIG. 3, a

similar set of stop members 64 extend downwardly from frame 14.

The operation of the boat ramp apparatus of the invention is similar to that of prior art ramps of this type. The solid line representation shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the storage position of ramp 10, a boat B being supported on the ramp 10 at a location towards the forward end of the ramp. The ramp 10 is shown in the loading position in dashed lines. With ramp 10 in the inclined position for loading shown in FIG. 2, and with the aid of loading bars 43 and 45, if required, the boat is positioned at the lower end of ramp 10. A hook 32a at the end of the tow line of the winch is fastened to the boat B and the boat is pulled up. When the boat is hauled up the ramp 10 to a point where the center of gravity of the boat and ramp combination shifts relative to the pivot axis, the ramp 10 will pivot about support axis 60 and will assume the horizontal storage position shown in solid lines.

The portable support frame 50 can be readily moved from one location to another and, in operation, is simply positioned in the water in the slip for the boat so that the boat can be stored above water in the slip during the winter. Both the ramp and support frame can be readily assembled and disassembled, using bolts or the like, so that the entire ramp apparatus can be marketed in kit form. Although this is not specifically illustrated in FIG. 2, in accordance with a further feature of the invention the support struts of support frame 20 are made telescoping so as to be adjustable in length such that the storage position of the ramp 10 can be raised and lowered as desired by the operator depending on the depth and type of bottom of the slip. Further, the height of platform 38 for winch 32 may also be adjusted by suitable means (not shown) to provide the appropriate hauling or lowering angle for the boat and, more generally, to provide additional operating flexibility.

Although the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected in this exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A boat ramp apparatus comprising a loading ramp adopted to support a boat thereon, a portable support frame separate from said ramp for pivotably mounting said loading ramp to permit movement of said ramp between a first, inclined position wherein the boat can be moved onto and off of the ramp and a second, generally horizontal position wherein the boat is elevated for storage, and a winch located at the end of the ramp opposite to that at which the boat is loaded for hauling a boat up the ramp, said support frame including a generally horizontal support member which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ramp, and said loading ramp including first and second sets of at least three downwardly dependent, longitudinally spaced stop members located on opposite sides of said ramp, for providing pivotal mounting of said ramp on said frame, said support member of said support frame engaging between pairs of said stop members and the spacing between said stop members taken two at a time permitting receipt of the support member therebetween while limiting the range of movement of the ramp along the support frame to thereby prevent slippage of the ramp on the support frame, said apparatus extensions of said support arms.

3. A boat ramp apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stop members comprise equally spaced, downwardly projecting rod-like members.

4. A boat ramp apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said support member is part-circular in cross section.

5. A boat ramp apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said support member comprises a bar member of generally circular cross section. 1 

1. A boat ramp apparatus comprising a loading ramp adopted to support a boat thereon, a portable support frame separate from said ramp for pivotably mounting said loading ramp to permit movement of said ramp between a first, inclined position wherein the boat can be moved onto and off of the ramp and a second, generally horizontal position wherein the boat is elevated for storage, and a winch located at the end of the ramp opposite to that at which the boat is loaded for hauling a boat up the ramp, said support frame including a generally horizontal support member which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ramp, and said loading ramp including first and second sets of at least three downwardly dependent, longitudinally spaced stop members located on opposite sides of said ramp, for providing pivotal mounting of said ramp on said frame, said support member of said support frame engaging between pairs of said stop members and the spacing between said stop members taken two at a time permitting receipt of the support member therebetween while limiting the range of movement of the ramp along the support frame to thereby prevent slippage of the ramp on the support frame, said apparatus further comprising adjustable means for varying the position of said winch relative to the end of the ramp, said adjustable means comprising movable mounting means for mounting said winch on said ramp, said mounting means including an outboard mounting section which extends outwardly of said ramp and a further inboard section in sliding supportive engagement with said ramp.
 2. A boat ramp apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outboard section of said mounting means comprises converging support arms and said inboard section comprises first and second generally parallel extensions of said support arms.
 3. A boat ramp apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stop members comprise equally spaced, downwardly projecting rod-like members.
 4. A boat ramp apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said support member is part-circular in cross section.
 5. A boat ramp apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said support member comprises a bar member of generally circular cross section. 